Former Kenyan international Mcdonald Mariga has lifted the lid on how Kenya's low FIFA ranking denied him a chance to become the first Kenyan player to grace the EPL in 2010.

“I left Parma and went to Manchester City direct, they brought me a private jet,” Mariga said in an interview with Radio 47.

“My agent and I arrived in Manchester, I did a medical and signed the contract but at that time, the rules were that you must have played 70 per cent of matches for your national team and I ticked that box. The problem was our rankings. 

“Our rankings denied me the opportunity to play for City. I stayed there for five days trying to sort this issue but it was not possible to get a work permit"

“All coaches in Italy put in a good word for me. They said I am talented, disciplined but we still did not succeed.

“I was so annoyed, and I was returned to Parma via the same provide jet that took me to Manchester.”

Sompaonline.com/Nana Yaw Boamah